Artwork
L'Annonciation
L'Annonciation is an oil painting by Johann Friedrich Overbeck. It dates from 1820 and is held in the collection of the Department of Paintings of the Louvre.
About this work
Overview
Johann Friedrich Overbeck, a German painter linked to the early 19th‑century Nazarene circle, completed the oil painting L’Annonciation in 1820. The work, a religious composition depicting the biblical Annunciation, is part of the Louvre’s permanent collection.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas presents the moment when the Archangel Gabriel announces to the Virgin Mary that she will bear the Son of God. Gabriel kneels on the left, gesturing toward Mary, who sits with clasped hands and a book, embodying humility and contemplation.
Technique & Style
Overbeck employs a restrained palette and clear chiaroscuro to model the figures, creating depth between the illuminated foreground and the muted landscape beyond. The composition is framed by an arched doorway that opens onto rolling hills, reinforcing a sense of sacred space.
History & Provenance
Since its creation, the painting has remained in public institutions, eventually entering the collection of the Louvre Museum, where it is displayed among other works of the Nazarene movement.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Johann Friedrich Overbeck (3 July 1789 – 12 November 1869) was a German painter and a founder of the Nazarene art movement.
Museum
Department of Paintings of the Louvre
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